How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 126

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (126)

“…Excuse me?”

“What do you mean by that, Professor?”

While everyone was staring at the Professor in bewilderment, Leo came to his senses and asked.

“A mobilization order has been issued for magic school students in the capital between the ages of 15 and 25.”

Seeing the students’ still dazed reactions, the Professor continued.

“This may be somewhat confusing, but this decision was made considering that you are all from influential families. Of course, since this isn’t a general mobilization, only qualified volunteers will be assigned to the Brandenburg Defense Force.”

Right, when something like this happens, it’s typical for nobles to take action first.

I often forget this isn’t the 21st century, and I’m feeling that again now.

‘Hmm.’

Even though being a teenager is quite problematic, in this society I’m probably the only one who finds it troublesome for noble teenagers to be conscripted.

‘Still, I should keep a safe distance.’

I did well to only take the advisory committee position.

If things go wrong, I’ll abandon it and leave.

While I was scribbling my thoughts in my notebook, I felt that familiar sensation in my nose again.

Having experienced it once, I now know what it is without having to check directly.

‘Did I use too much divine power?’

As I rummaged through my bag, Philip, sitting next to me, had a fit as if he’d encountered Pleroma and pulled his chair back.

“Gasp, what…! Aaah!”

I punched Philip’s mouth, but the Professor and students had already started looking our way.

Pleroma are the ones who consume blood, not ones who do things with their own blood, but my body must have moved instinctively.

I understand.

‘Given the situation, it can’t be helped.’

While Nicolaus’s reputation points continue to rise even now, Luca’s points, who’s being mistaken for Pleroma, were gradually falling.

It would be interesting if even this situation was part of Hyung’s grand plan.

The Professor raised his eyebrows seeing me suddenly stand up.

“Student, why are you covering your mouth?”

“Drooling. I dozed off for a moment.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll go wash my face.”

Elias started giggling.

Even after I went to the bathroom and returned, the Professor was still talking about the mobilization order, as if he hadn’t finished what he had to say.

The Professor spoke in a weighty voice.

“Pleroma’s terrorist acts are going too far. Now the citizens are barely managing to eat and wash using only holy water provided by the government. Without barriers, we too would have had to worry about even breathing.”

“…”

“Has Pleroma ever done such things before? No, they haven’t. This can only mean they’re looking down on the Empire, on us.”

The Professor’s voice grew increasingly agitated.

Due to the hostility toward Pleroma, the students’ expressions hardened.

“His Majesty Friedrich said he would end this situation within a year, and that he needs your help to suppress the rampaging ones.”

Several students nodded with determined faces.

Most of them were probably a bit confused but wouldn’t have much resistance.

All nobles are taught that it’s their duty to work for the citizens in times of crisis.

‘And when that high and mighty person directly says “I need your help,” the students can’t help but feel loyalty.’

The Emperor probably thinks he owes a debt to Bavaria.

No matter how much he employs me, essentially I’m part of the Bavarian government, and the citizens also perceive my achievements as Bavaria’s achievements.

‘So he probably wanted to demonstrate his leadership at this point.’

The Imperial 2nd Education Institute is in Prussia, but it’s a school attended by people from ruling families and influential families of other countries, not just Prussia.

He probably wanted to confirm his ability to unite the influential students from each country who would become rulers.

Not to confirm it to the citizens, but to the countries that became conscription targets.

If leadership positions are taken by other countries like now, he must have been anxious about how the Empire’s hegemony might change in the future.

Ultimately, it’s a policy that can gain the citizens’ favor as it’s for everyone’s safety.

‘I understand his determination not to lose to Bavaria.’

I rested my chin on my hand and smiled while listening to the Professor.

“Good. As I said, this isn’t a serious matter. The Imperial Court is preparing for war with Pleroma together with Count Ernst, but regardless of that, this mobilization order is only to control the rampaging ones.”

So they plan to call the victims “rampaging ones.”

But…

‘When did I prepare anything with anyone?’

Since when?

‘This is interesting.’

I leaned back against the chair and laughed silently.

Right, this is why disguise is always useful.

That person is right here now, yet he’s talking about such things without any concern.

It might just be a conventional expression, but I understand well what kind of future the Emperor is envisioning.

‘I’d like to tell him to talk more.’

While I was smacking my lips, Leo asked with a hollow laugh.

“Count Ernst is making plans radical enough to be expressed that way?”

“Isn’t this something you already know, Student?”

“He’s not preparing such plans with anyone. Moving recklessly and aggressively would put the citizens in danger. He’s someone who prioritizes the safety of the Empire’s citizens above all else, so speaking about him this way isn’t good for anyone.”

Elias, who had been smirking the whole time, opened his mouth wide in surprise. An expression briefly crossed his face as if he’d found something to tease about.

Though I didn’t show it, I felt the same way.

‘…It would be one thing if he didn’t know the person involved was here, but he’s speaking so seriously even knowing…’

That’s so like Leo.

The Professor nodded with a puzzled face and changed the subject.

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I apologize. Starting at 3 o’clock, an inspector from the Education Department will come to examine each conscription target school. Since the Imperial 2nd Academy, Magic Department has the highest expectations from His Majesty the Emperor, please be careful with your behavior.”

The Professor’s guidance continued until the end of class.

After class ended, while I was packing my bag, a heavy arm landed on my shoulder.

“You probably won’t fail anyway. Right? They’re just doing this because they’re worried about complaints.”

“Elias.”

Fortunately, Antagonist had cast a sound-blocking spell.

He gestured toward the outside and said.

“Let’s gather and talk for a bit. Leo called us.”

* * *

Right, there won’t be any failures.

It’s a formal procedure to prepare for potential criticism.

‘I guess they don’t want to get criticized.’

Even without preparing like this, there wouldn’t be much complaint.

Young people in mage society are different from young people in non-mage society.

A noble’s age is considered about +10 years compared to a commoner’s age.

Just looking at how children of ruling families participate in politics in their late teens, you can see that the accepted age is different.

‘In the first place, late teens aren’t completely considered adolescents…’

Perceptually, they’re closer to young adults.

Also, in this society, it’s true that a talented middle school student is much more useful than an average mage in their 40s or 50s.

“Prussia’s territory is quite large, right? Now they’re even taking students because everyone else isn’t enough? If it’s going to be like this, they should give half their land to Bavaria.”

Elias mocked with a laugh.

Currently in my room are Elias and Narke.

Since Leo, who called us together, hasn’t arrived yet, I watched Fai moving stones while extracting divine power to deliver to the research institute.

‘So this is how it moves them.’

Fai stood on two legs and waved its front paws while using divine power. When it seemed to lack strength, it walked on all fours again, then repeated the previous action.

Elias, who was watching together, laughed at the sight.

“Wait, you’ve been cleaning up every time even though it’s this difficult to make?”

“Can’t help it.”

“My blood is freezing….”

“If I don’t clean up, how am I supposed to study.”

“Rabbit, from now on come to my room and make your home there~ I don’t study so I won’t clean up!”

Leo would probably ask if that’s something to be proud of.

Fai’s ears began to flatten against his head.

Elias didn’t seem to notice this as he looked at us and spoke.

“But it’s fascinating that this one uses divine power too. Papacy animals really are different.”

“Haha, it’s a secret but only this one is like this.”

Narke answered casually.

At first, he tried not to reveal that Fai could use divine power, but now that he thought they’d become close friends, he was speaking comfortably about it.

Just then, Leo warped into the room.

“You were all here already.”

“That person prioritizes the safety of the Empire’s citizens above all else….”

“Playing around?”

Leo patted Elias on the back and sat down.

Then he looked at me and asked.

“Did you ever say you’d do something together with His Majesty?”

“No. I said I’d take on the role of Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council, but I never said I’d go to war together.”

“I see… It’s just his greed then.”

“But why are you only coming now~?”

Elias asked as he sprawled out on my bed.

“I had something to discuss with His Majesty the King.”

“What about?”

“I want to properly learn magical medicine.”

“…?!”

Elias shot up from his seat and widened his eyes.

“You’re going to learn magical medicine?”

Narke, who hadn’t used insight yet, looked puzzled by that reaction, but I was internally reacting exactly like Elias.

In the novel, the moment he showed talent in magical medicine, he worried the King might prevent him from pursuing combat magic, so he never set foot in that field. Honestly, there was a bit of rebelliousness mixed in too.

Leo just shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and said.

“Just because. With the situation like this, it’d be good to learn whatever I can.”

“You’re not Leo.”

“…What do you mean I’m not?! Lucas keeps drawing out divine power like that, so what can’t I do. I’m not in a position to be picky.”

Only then did Elias shake his head and step back.

“…His Majesty the King must have been thrilled. Didn’t he try to teach you right away?”

“He did.”

Leo smiled faintly and handed us some papers.

“Now stop chatting and look at this.”

It was the promotional flyer about the conscription order he mentioned earlier and the test participation consent form.

Perhaps thinking the term ‘conscription order’ didn’t sound very good, it now simply read ‘Student Military Corps Recruitment.’

Elias frowned as he read through the text.

“There are 100 students total in one grade of the Department of Magic, but they’re only selecting 18? And what’s with taking tests for a whole month. We’ll die from exhaustion taking tests.”

“They said they’d be thorough since safety is at stake. Probably worried about receiving criticism.”

Leo answered while resting his chin on his hand. Then he looked at us and asked.

“You’re going to participate, right? All of you except Lucas.”

“Of course I have to. Probably all the students will participate, right?”

Elias nodded as if it were obvious.

Since it’s the Emperor’s command, even if it seems like something to refuse, they can’t in this matter.

The moment someone says they won’t participate in the test, criticism will pour down asking what nobles are doing instead of setting an example.

And even though it’s a group that will be created by the Emperor’s command, there are great benefits to being active in front of the citizens.

Rather, the Emperor probably wouldn’t welcome Elias participating. Since it would be an opportunity to gain support from the citizens.

Narke gave the same answer.

“My background is an issue… but I think the Papacy will definitely tell me to participate.”

“They would. My mother told me to participate too.”

Leo looked at me and asked.

“So, what do you think?”

“What choice do I have.”

Leo also seemed worried about students this age standing before victims.

But he couldn’t carelessly publish an opposing article.

First, in this society, class takes priority over age. In the sentence about noble youth becoming conscription targets, what people consider important isn’t ‘youth’ but ‘noble.’

With social consensus already reached, if I announced that mobilization should be avoided for student safety, it would be like feeding the enemy.

‘I can already see the headlines being crafted brilliantly.’

If that won’t work, I’ll reduce the burden in other ways.

“I’ll have to go to the Advisory Council and make sure they only face low-grade victims. If we can’t eliminate this plan, we have to give the kids only easy opponents.”

“…Yeah, that would be good.”

Leo nodded.

When he finished thinking, he gave consent forms to Narke and Elias.

Elias scribbled his signature roughly without hesitation and handed it to Leo.

“Class president, collect them and submit them~”

“You’re so casually giving it to me….”

Leo chuckled dryly as he gathered the papers.

I watched this scene quietly, then spoke up.

“Leo, do you have any test participation consent forms left?”

“Hm? Why?”

“Give me one. I’ll sign it too.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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